Eagles hold Scousers

January 26 2003

Liverpool Action

Crystal Palace held Liverpool to a goaless draw at Selhurst Park in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

They matched Liverpool stride for stride and could have snatched a late winner four minutes from time when Tony Popovic’s goalbound header was diverted over the bar from Emile Heskey’s outstretched leg.

Dele Adebola could have put Palace into an early lead with a header which flashed across the goal.

Then Liverpool were dealt a major blow when goalkeeper Chris Kirkland had to be stretchered off with a knee injury after a collision with Dele Adebola.

The loose ball fell to Andy Johnson and his shot was cleared off the line as Kirkland was on the floor motionless.

The Eagles defence had Michael Owen and Heskey under wraps as they were totally anonymous throughout.

Owen’s only effort on goal was a 63rd minute shot which Kolinko easily collected and likewise for Bruno Cheyrou's volley and a John Aarne Riise low shot.

Julian Gray nearly gave Liverpool a goal when his backpass went past the onrushing Alex Kolinko. Luckily for Palace, the ball went the right side of the post.

The two teams will meet again in the replay at Anfield on Wednesday, February 5, kick-off 8pm. Tickets are currently on sale to season ticket holders and members – two per person.

Palace will find it tough – two seasons ago they lost 5-0 in the Worthington Cup semi-final second leg after beating the Reds 2-1 at Selhurst Park in the first leg – but will draw comfort as top striker Dougie Freedman should be fully-recovered from injury.

Palace: Kolinko, Fleming, Symons, Popovic, Butterfield,

Mullins, Derry, Gray (Granville 81), Black (Routledge 65), Adebola

(Akinbiyi 74), Johnson.

Subs Not Used: Berthelin, Borrowdale.

Booked: Fleming.

Liverpool: Kirkland (Dudek 25), Carragher, Hyypia, Traore, Riise,

Murphy, Gerrard, Cheyrou (Diao 90), Diouf (Biscan 85), Owen,

Heskey.

Subs Not Used: Baros, Mellor.

Booked: Carragher, Cheyrou.

Today's football results and scorers

Palace 2002/3 team stats